Sixth grade is a new beginning for your child. No longer is he/she an elementary student but a true "middle-schooler" now. You will see a significant change in your child during these special years. It seems that when the 6th graders enter they still seem very young. So innocent and full of life. This is the perfect time to get them involved in one of the best programs North Ridge has to offer and learn the gift of music to last a lifetime.

The North Ridge Band is comprised of four different bands: Beginner,Concert, Symphonic, and Honors Band.

Beginner Band is for those who are starting from scratch. Our directors will be working closely with each child to ensure that they are learning the proper technique of playing the instrument of their choice. In the beginning you will hear some "interesting" sounds coming from your child's instrument. But by the Winter Concert they will be performing as a whole concert band. You will be amazed by their progress! Major focus points are posture, breathing, reading rhythms accurately, reading musical notation and developing listening skills.

Concert Band is made up of mostly 7th graders and is under the direction of James Smith and Jessica Shadman. This class is for students who have completed Beginner Band or incoming students who have demonstrated that they are ready for this class. This class picks up where Beginner Band left off, further exploring new rhythms, styles and developing the young musician. Having completed at least a year of study, the students are expected to be able to tackle some concepts on their own.

Symphonic Band is made up of 7th and 8th graders and is under the direction of Jessica Shadman. This class is for students who have completed Concert Band or Beginning Band and have demonstrated that they are ready for this class. This class picks up where Concert Band left off, further exploring new rhythms, styles and striving to attain the quality of a "varsity" level ensemble. Students in this band are expected to study their music and instrument diligently to prepare for Honors Band or High School Band in their near future.

Honors Band is made up of mostly 8th graders and is under the direction of James Smith. This is the most advanced group at North Ridge Middle School. By this time, students have learned most of what they need to know to play in this band, so instruction moves away from the basic elements of music to concentrate on the more abstract concepts of musicianship. This is where we put all of the pieces of previously learned knowledge together to make great music. Preparation for a successful experience in the Richland HS Band Program and beyond begins to be cultivated in this environment. The Select Band performs for the student body, community and at local festivals and concert halls such as the Murchison in Denton.

The Staff

James Smith is a 1998 graduate of Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He served as a graduate teaching assistant in band at the University of Kansas from 1999-2000 and earned his Master's of Music Education degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2010. Mr. Smith is in his 12th year of teaching at North Ridge Middle School in the Birdville ISD. His bands have earned consistent “Sweepstakes” at UIL contest and special recognition at other festivals including “Best in Class” and “Grand Champion” awards. Mr. Smith was named 2009-2010 "Teacher of the Year" at North Ridge MS and also Birdville ISD's Middle School Teacher of the Year. Other educator awards include BISD's "A Touch of Class Award" and the Jack Harvey Fellow Award (2010-2011) presented by Weatherford College to exemplary teachers. Professional and academic affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, Golden Key National Honor Society and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Evan Blackard is the Percussion Coordinator for the Richland High School Cluster in North Richland Hills, Texas. His duties in the cluster include overseeing the percussion elements of the bands at North Ridge Middle School, North Richland Middle School and Richland High School. He has overseen the percussion element in two middle school State Honor Band finalists, two high school State Honor Band finalists, two UIL State Marching Contest finalists and two Bands of America Grand National Finalists. Mr. Blackard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of North Texas and is an active clinician, adjudicator and arranger in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In addition to the Richland Cluster, Evan has taught with the University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Arlington, and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Blackard is an endorser of Innovative Percussion products.

Jessica Shadman is in her fifth year as the Assistant Band Director at North Ridge Middle School. Her responsibilities at North Ridge include conducting the Honors Band, co-teaching the Symphonic Band and teaching all beginning woodwind classes. Mrs. Shadman holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Prior to her position at North Ridge, Mrs. Shadman was the Assistant Director of Bands at Armstrong Middle School in Plano and Director of Bands at Crosstimbers Intermediate School in Mansfield. Her bands have earned consistent Division I ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading contest as well as “Best In Class” awards at metroplex band festivals. Professional and academic affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters Association and Mu Phi Epsilon.